Head to the Great Barrier Reef, check out the Reef HQ, explore the nearby rainforest, visit historic gold mining towns and the old buildings, go fishing or just relax on our beautiful Strand, a stretch of the foreshore.

Townsville is undoubtedly the official Coral Sea Capital of North Queensland., and is blessed with a unique blend of history and natural beauty.

Flinders Street is the main street with its famous Flinders Mall - is a must visit on a Sunday morning for their Cotters Markets. You will also find the Markets held monthly on the Strand.

You will want to spend time on The Strand, the seaside boulevard area of the city. The new revamped area is a great area to relax and enjoy the beachfront with green grass, trees, paved areas, restaurants, and lots of beach area.

The Strand area also provides perfect examples of some of North Queensland's finest old buildings, a man-made waterfall and gardens, and the natural beauty of Magnetic Island dominates the skyline just 8 kms. across Cleveland Bay.

Visitors to North Queensland should be aware of the fact that during the summer months, (between October and mid April) stingers are prevalent in the waters off the northern beaches. - but one place for safe saltwater swimming all year round is the Townsville Rockpool on the Strand. There is also the stinger enclosure beside the pool.

You will find quite a few National Parks with their freshwater swimming areas and BBQ and picnic facilities in and around Townsville.

To the south you'll find Mt. Elliot National Park and to the north Mt. Spec, Crystal Creek and Jouroma Falls National Parks. Most of the creeks between Townsville and Ingham have some good swimming holes.

The Townsville Palmentum - just a short drive from the city centre, at Aitkenvale. The Palmentum has a huge range of palms and a walk through the rainforest is a must - especially in the warmer months.

You'll find the memorial for the Blackhawk Helicopter Accident along the way.

Relax at the Tea Gardens, have a wander through the beautiful gardens, watch the birdlife, or relax by the lake. Also there are boats going daily to the reef - either for fishing or just enjoying the swimming, snorkeling, and coral viewing.

Townsville was developed late last century as a port and railhead for grazing, mining and agricultural industries of the Burdekin region, and it has developed into a graceful city under the imposing Castle Hill, with wide streets.

The majestic old Customs Building on the southern end of the Strand, the former Queens Hotel (now a Television Station), the Post Office in the Mall and many other buildings are products of Townsville's earlier boom days.

A drive up Castle Hill gives you a birds-eye view of the city as well as from Cape Cleveland to Cape Pallarenda and beyond.

Another vantage point is of course, Mt. Stuart, just off the highway west of Townsville. The view is breathtaking and BBQ facilities are available at the lookout.

You will find the fishing 'round Townsville' is as good as anywhere else in the world.

Most people come for just a look and end up staying in Townsville - named the Community of the Year in 1996.